Eco-friendly one-shot approach for producing a functionalized nano-torrefied biomass: a new application of ball milling technology

A green and sustainable functionalization of the solid residue from populous nigra treated at low temperature (T = 285 °C) with a mechanochemical approach is reported here. The reaction is performed in the presence of dodecyltriphenyl phosphonium bromide to produce a new filler with antimicrobial activity. By selecting the right pyrolysis temperature, oxygen functionalities can be obtained on the carbon surface, avoiding the additional oxidation step to further modify the carbon material. In a one-step procedure, the filler is nanometrically reduced and is properly functionalized via cation exchange in a short time (i.e. 30 minutes) under dry conditions, providing a salt uptake of about 15 wt%. The new adduct exhibits high dispersibility on cotton fabrics and shows photocatalytic activity which confirms the capability of the manufacture to inhibit the organic contaminants’ growth.